Oistrakh plays Shostakovich

On 3 May 1969, David Oistrakh gave the world premiere of Shostakovich’s Violin Sonata op.134, in the Large Hall of the Moscow Conservatoire. Here’s a later recording of the work, with Oistrakh performing alongside pianist Sviatoslav Richter.

‘He always knew the whole fabric of the piece, including the score, which is rare with performers’ – Shostakovich, quoted in the September 2008 issue of The Strad